Primary container assembly with integrated fluid path

Abstract

A primary container assembly includes a primary container defining a body having a proximal end defining an opening configured to receive a plunger, a distal end opposite the proximal end and defining an outlet, and a chamber extending from the proximal end to the distal end that is configured to receive a drug. The primary container assembly further comprises a tube extending from a first end that is integrally attached to the distal end of the primary container to a second end opposite the first end, where the tube defines a channel extending from the first end to the second end. The primary container assembly also includes a hollow needle configured to penetrate skin of a patient.

1 . A primary container assembly, comprising:
 a primary container defining a body having a proximal end defining an opening configured to receive a plunger, a distal end opposite the proximal end and defining an outlet, and a chamber extending from the proximal end to the distal end that is configured to receive a drug;   a tube extending from a first end that is integrally attached to the distal end of the primary container to a second end opposite the first end, wherein the tube defines a channel extending from the first end to the second end; and   a needle configured to penetrate skin of a patient, wherein the needle is integrally attached to the second end of the tube,   wherein the tube is in fluid communication with the chamber of the primary container and the needle.   
     
     
         2 . The primary container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         3 . The primary container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tube comprises a rigid, inflexible material. 
     
     
         4 . The primary container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the primary container comprises a Luer connection integrally attached to the first end of the tube. 
     
     
         5 . The primary container assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a needle hub defining an interface between the needle and the tube.   
     
     
         6 . The primary container assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a needle shield disposed over at least a portion of the needle and releasably connected to the needle hub so as to maintain the needle in a sterile condition.   
     
     
         7 . The primary container assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the needle shield is frictionally connected to the needle hub. 
     
     
         8 . The primary container assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a cup attached to the distal end of the primary container,   wherein the tube is configured to be placed in an initial coiled configuration, wherein a portion of the tube is coiled around a portion of the distal end of the primary container and substantially disposed within the cup.   
     
     
         9 . The primary container assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the cup is releasably attached to the body of the primary container. 
     
     
         10 . The primary container assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the needle shield is releasably secured to the cup. 
     
     
         11 . The primary container assembly of  claim 8 , wherein when the needle shield is detached from the cup, the tube is configured to be transitioned from the coiled configuration to an uncoiled configuration, wherein the tube is uncoiled from around the portion of the distal end of the primary container. 
     
     
         12 . The primary container assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the cup is a first cup, the primary container assembly further comprising:
 a second cup releasably attached to the first cup, wherein the needle shield is substantially received within the second cup such that the tube maintains a concentric shape,   wherein the second cup is configured to interface with a filling machine.   
     
     
         13 . The primary container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the needle is a first needle, the primary container assembly further comprising:
 a second needle defining an interface between the distal end of the body of the primary container and the first end of the tube.   
     
     
         14 . The primary container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the primary container and the tube are monolithic. 
     
     
         15 . The primary container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tube defines a first length measured along an axis coaxial with a body of the tube from the first end to the second end, and the needle defines a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length. 
     
     
         16 . A drug dispensing device, comprising:
 the primary container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the primary container assembly further comprises a needle hub defining an interface between the needle and the tube; and   an input configured to engage the needle hub such that the tube is in fluid communication with the input.   
     
     
         17 . A method for assembling a primary container assembly, comprising:
 providing a primary container defining a body having a proximal end defining an opening configured to receive a plunger, a distal end opposite the proximal end and defining an outlet, and a chamber extending from the proximal end to the distal end that is configured to receive a drug;   attaching a first end of a tube to the distal end of the primary container, such that the tube is in fluid communication with the outlet; and   attaching a needle to a second end of the tube.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein attaching the tube to the primary container comprises molding the distal end of the primary container over the first end of the tube. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein attaching the tube to the primary container comprises monolithically forming the tube and the primary container. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 filling the primary container with the drug.